Many older workers are exposed to environmental risks at work: Exposure to potentially harmful environmental conditions by age, 2018

Age Prime-age workers (35–49) Older workers (50–70)
Any environmental exposure 55.0% 54.2%
Handle infectious materials 17.1% 15.6%
Breathe secondhand tobacco smoke 13.7% 6.7%
Handle chemical products 20.7% 16.9%
Breathe vapors 14.1% 10.9%
Breathe smoke, fumes, powder or dust 15.6% 13.9%
Endure low temperatures 27.6% 32.3%
Endure high temperatures 33.9% 35.8%
Endure loud noise 31.3% 27.4%
Handle vibrating tools or machinery  21.4% 16.4%

Note: Figure B shows the share of workers exposed to these conditions a quarter of the time or more.

Source: Author’s analysis of 2018 American Working Conditions Survey microdata (RAND Corporation 2018).

View the underlying data on epi.org.